All Topics > Real Estate Resources > Selling > Preparing to Sell > Will a Home Warranty Help Your House Sell? >

Will a Home Warranty Help Your House Sell? Michigan

Give yourself a marketplace edge by offering buyers peace of mind.

Local Companies

www.crowleyrealestatesolutions.com
734-444-8990
9911 shadyside
Livonia, MI

Century 21 McCoy Real Estate
231-218-7817
PO Box 456
Suttons Bay, MI

Safer Homes LLC
517-639-3935
919 Ely Rd
Quincy, MI

Coldwell Banker
616-355-6305
466 E. 16th st
Holland, MI

Tom Frame - Kalvan Realty
(269) 580-2259
226 Monroe Street
Bangor, MI

Coldwell Banker Woodland Schmidt
616-355-6305
466 E. 16th st.
Holland, MI

Tomie Raines Inc
517-242-1897
1400 Abbott Rd
East Lansing, MI

Turning Point Buyers Realty
616-990-0004
Please call for a personal appointment
Grand Rapids, MI

Re/Max New trend
248-988-8888 X 223
122 Concord Road
Bloomfield Hills, MI

Kathy Toth & Team Keller Williams Realty
734-669-0337
2144 S. State St.
Ann Arbor, MI

provided by:

Which home would you rather buy? One that offers you no protection if the furnace, air conditioner, dishwasher, plumbing or garage door opener go kaput, or one with a home warranty that gets the problem fixed for less than $100?

Most buyers would select door No. 2, so it’s easy to see why many sellers are making a home warranty part of the deal. It’s almost standard in some markets, according to industry experts.

Offering buyers guaranteed, low-cost repairs is especially valuable in a slow housing market. In some cases the warranty will give you an edge over other properties; in other cases home warranties are expected, and not offering one might cause buyers to reject your home outright.

“It’s one more benefit that the seller can offer,” said Kathy Aymard, manager of the Annapolis, Md., office of Prudential Carruthers REALTORS®, which is affiliated with RealEstate.com. Home warranty coverage costs a few hundred dollars, but what you’re offering buyers is peace of mind for their first year in the home.

“Most buyers don’t have a whole lot of extra cash when they get in the house” after coming up with a down payment and paying for a move, Aymard said. Under a home warranty, repairs are covered, with the new owner paying a small deductible – generally $30 to $75, depending on the policy.

A good listing agent should suggest offering a warranty, Aymard said. Her office considers it so important that its listing services include providing a warranty.

She cautioned that home warranties won’t cover pre-existing conditions. In other words, a seller who knows he has a plumbing leak and buys a warranty with the intention of having it fixed under the policy, she said. Likewise, a problem caught during the pre-sale inspection should be repaired before closing.

Indeed, the offer of a home warranty does not mean that a buyer should forego a home inspection. Although the buyer bears the cost of the inspection, it’s critical to have a qualified home-inspection specialist give the home a thorough once over before you sign on the dotted line at closing.

Keep in mind that purchasing a home warranty for the buyer doesn’t get you off the hook for making repairs before putting your home on the market. You’ll still need to patch and clean and paint and do whatever you can to get your home in showcase condition.

However, sellers can purchase a home warranty while the home is on the market to protect themselves against unexpected repair costs, then transfer the warranty to the buyer. Several companies offer home warranties. Ask your real estate professional for recommendations if he or she doesn’t suggest the warranty as part of their services.

“I don’t know that a warranty by itself sells a house, but a warranty is a benefit” to the buyer, Aymard said, noting, “If the seller’s not offering it, the buyer ought to get it anyway.”

Published on July 19, 2007

Read full article at realestate.com

Featured Local Company

www.crowleyrealestatesolutions.com

734-444-8990
9911 shadyside
Livonia, MI

Read more about Will a Home Warranty Help Your House Sell?

- Home Improvement: Adding value to your house before you sell Michigan

Consider simple home improvement ideas if you are planning to sell your house.

- Warranties on New Homes Michigan
- Is an open house right for you? Michigan
- Home staging -- easy ideas to do it yourself Michigan
- Home Warranty Basics Michigan
- Preserving the Value Of House Michigan
- For Sale By Owner Michigan
- Selling Your Home in Buyers Market Michigan
- Preparing For Selling Your Home Michigan
- 5 Useful Tips In Selling House Michigan

Regional Articles

- Preserving the Value Of House Michigan

Many of us invest in homes because it gives us the sense of security. It is also a good investment for most because it shows large returns. After a few years, you can sell and profit from it. However, many do not get the value they desire for the house. This is because of damages in the house.

- Home Warranty Basics Michigan
- 5 Useful Tips In Selling House Michigan
- Home staging -- easy ideas to do it yourself Michigan
- Warranties on New Homes Michigan
- Selling Your Home in Buyers Market Michigan
- For Sale By Owner Michigan
- Home Improvement: Adding value to your house before you sell Michigan
- Preparing For Selling Your Home Michigan
- Is an open house right for you? Michigan

Advertising	Food & Beverage	Nightlife
Business Services	Franchise	Online Database
Career	Health	Pets
Cars	Holidays	Real Estate Resources
Computer Hardware	Home Appliances	Retail & Consumer Services
Construction	Home Electronics	Software
Education	Home Services	Technology
Entertainment	Industrial Goods & Services	Telecommunications
Environmental	Insurance	Trade Shows
Family	Internet	Travel
Fashion	Legal	Weddings
Financial Services	Miscellaneous	World History

Advertising	Family	Home Services	Real Estate Resources
Business Services	Fashion	Industrial Goods & Services	Retail & Consumer Services
Career	Financial Services	Insurance	Software
Cars	Food & Beverage	Internet	Technology
Computer Hardware	Franchise	Legal	Telecommunications
Construction	Health	Miscellaneous	Trade Shows
Education	Holidays	Nightlife	Travel
Entertainment	Home Appliances	Online Database	Weddings
Environmental	Home Electronics	Pets	World History